This video by 2 Lt Mathieu Sly discusses the Reconnaissance Operations Commander course, one of the most challenging and rewarding training programs in the Canadian Army.
Archive for the ‘Forces Focus’ Category
What is a Reconnaissance Operations Commander?
Saturday, July 5th, 2025Sky’s the Limit: 200th Combat Weather Flight
Friday, June 27th, 2025SANDSTON, Va. —
Weather can be one of the most unpredictable and impactful elements of warfare. Whether it’s a rainstorm that delays the launch of an aircraft, or a sudden snowstorm that hampers mobility on the ground, the 200th Combat Weather Flight’s role in forecasting and analyzing weather conditions directly contributes to military operational effectiveness.
As experts in meteorology, personnel within the 200th CWS, 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, provide essential weather information to commanders, pilots and state leaders to mitigate weather-related risks. Geographically separated from the 192nd Wing and based in Sandston, the 200th CWS provides support for both state and federal missions forecasting for Army National Guard aviation and hazardous weather domestic response operations.
“They see the weather forecast and meteorological information we provide as a form of intelligence to lean on and help define operational movements,” said Master Sgt. Walter Raymond, 200th CWS superintendent. “Weather conditions can affect so much of flying operations; commanders rely on us to deliver accurate, location-specific assessments that shape logistical and tactical decisions.”
In January 2025, after a blizzard swept the state leaving roads impassable and thousands without power, the 200th CWS once again demonstrated their expertise and readiness. Snowfall and temperatures plunged below freezing causing flooding at Richmond’s water treatment plant and leaving residents in Richmond and surrounding areas without water for days. As the state prepared to mobilize resources, the 200th CWS provided critical data that allowed the state to plan effective response strategies.
“The blizzard was a great demonstration of the team’s adaptability to the variety of situations they face,” said Lt. Col. Michael Johnson, 200th CWS commander. “Each winter storm or hurricane is different in what its impact can be. It’s driven a lot by our joint force leaders, and our people are able to react and recognize which weather information is pertinent in each scenario based on what the demands are on the commonwealth.”
Senior Airman Victoria Tuell has been a weather forecaster with the VaANG for four years and has provided critical support during major weather events, including Hurricanes Helena and Milton. She also emphasized the unique and rewarding opportunity to partner with sister services.
“I love collaborating with the Army,” said Tuell. “ Being able to work alongside another branch of service really helps to build those relationships. That collaborative effort really shines through, especially when helping our local community.”
From natural disasters to daily mission support, the 200th Combat Weather Flight remains at the forefront of operational readiness—proving that when it comes to safeguarding lives and achieving objectives, weather is far more than just a forecast.
By SSgt Nilsa Garcia, 192nd Wing
116th IBCT to Field Test New Mobile Brigade Combat Team Organization
Wednesday, June 18th, 2025RICHMOND, Va. –
The Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team will be the first Army National Guard brigade to test and evaluate a prototype task organization for a mobile brigade combat team during their 21-day eXportable Combat Training Capability rotation in June 2025 at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The MBCT concept is part of the U.S. Army’s transformation initiative with the goal of making units more agile and lethal.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Bedford-based Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct a movement to contact situational training lane June 9, 2025, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The 116th is the first Army National Guard brigade to test a prototype task organization for a mobile brigade combat team, and it will be evaluated during a 21-day eXportable Combat Training Capability rotation. The MBCT concept is part of the U.S. Army’s transformation initiative with the goal of making units more agile and lethal. (U.S. National Guard phtoo by Cotton Puryear)
“The 116th has an incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of the Army’s transformation initiative, and I am confident the Soldiers of the Normandy Brigade will rise to the occasion,” said Col. Jared Lake, commander of the 116th. “There are still many variables in the transformation process, but our Soldiers are going to focus on their core warfighting skills that will make us a more ready and lethal organization by the end of XCTC.”
XCTC is a series of field training exercises simulating realistic combat scenarios including live fire, situational training lanes and force on force with a dedicated opposing force intended to increase the skills and readiness of National Guard units.
The 116th will be configured as the MBCT during the XCTC rotation, and it will be an opportunity to continue testing and evaluating the proposed force structure, Lake said.
The mobile brigade combat team force structure focuses on three infantry battalions with organic logistics support and the addition of a multi-purpose company in each battalion and a multi-functional reconnaissance company in the brigade.
Battalion scout, mortar and assault platoons move to a battalion MPC to provide ground and aerial reconnaissance, indirect fire support, launched effects, counter unmanned aerial systems and deception capabilities to fix and attrit enemy forces that allows for infantry companies to close with and destroy the enemy.
The MFRC provides reconnaissance and surveillance with the brigade deep area to enable targeting and provide timely, accurate reporting of enemy activity, detect and target enemy high payoff targets and shape the brigade deep area to enable operations.
The MPCs and MFRC will be employed along with the 116th’s three infantry battalions during the culminating field training exercise near the end of the XCTC rotation.
The cavalry squadron and the brigade engineer battalion are not a part of the prototype MBCT task organization. Future force structure for those organizations is still being analyzed at the U.S. Army level. Soldiers assigned to those units will still focus on honing their MOS-specific skills during XCTC.
The field artillery battalion will conduct live fire during XCTC in addition to other MOS-specific training. Long term, the artillery battalion will align under the 29th Division Artillery as that force structure comes online in the coming years.
A key piece of equipment for the MBCT is the infantry squad vehicle designed to transport infantry squads across the battlefield. The 116th has not fielded the ISVs, but they will still be able to train on employing the new MBCT formations with their existing equipment.
The official 116th IBCT force structure has not changed and is not scheduled to change until the Army validates and finalizes the new MBCT structure, and then approves that change for the 116th IBCT, Lake said. This process is anticipated to occur over the next three years.
“Every Soldier still has a home in the 116th IBCT and every opportunity to continue their service with the Virginia Army National Guard,” he said.
Lake explained that while some Soldiers may be attached to other units for XCTC, there are no plans for permanent reassignments until the new official force structure is approved. Some Soldiers may get the opportunity to change military occupational speciality and career field, but most of Soldiers will not need to change MOS.
The Army’s 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team was first mobile brigade combat team, and they conducted a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation to experiment, test and collect Soldier feedback on the MBCT concept in July 2024 at Fort Johnson, Louisiana.
By Cotton Puryear | Virginia National Guard Public Affairs
Georgia Guard Activates First-Ever Electromagnetic Warfare Company
Thursday, June 12th, 2025
FOREST PARK, Ga. — The Georgia Army National Guard made history with the activation of the 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, the first unit of its kind in the U.S. Army.
The ceremony, held at the Fort Gillem Enclave, also included the assumption of command by Capt. Caleb Rogers.
Lt. Col. Luke Gurley, commander of the 221st Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, the parent command of the 111th EW, presided over the ceremony.
“Today we activate the 111th Electronic Warfare Company, a unit that will be at the forefront of our capabilities in the electromagnetic spectrum,” Gurley said.
The activation of the 111th EW Company marks a significant step in modernizing the Army’s capabilities within a domain that is increasingly critical to national security. This new formation will provide capabilities to detect, recognize, locate and identify signals of interest, supporting combatant commanders.
During his remarks, Gurley said the activation aligns with the philosophy of U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, who advocates for rapidly modernizing units and equipment based on emerging needs and technology. He also believes every unit will need to master the electronic warfare fight.
“The legacy of the 221st Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion and the Georgia Guard to lead from the front and provide those critical capabilities to support the warfight both locally and abroad is going to be driven by Georgia Soldiers,” said Brig. Gen. Theodore Scott III, commander of the 78th Troop Command. “And that means the world to me.”
Scott, once the leader of the 221st IEW, has watched the formation grow over the years.
“As the battlefield continues to evolve, the 221st IEW is ready,” Scott said. “It’s one of the most deployed units in the state and has been for a number of decades. And so that continues to articulate the relevancy of 221st and now the 111th.”
The 221st IEW has deployed Soldiers to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Cuba and the southern border, and has supported U.S. Central Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command activities.
The 111th EW Company traces its lineage to the 1st Battalion, 111th Signal Battalion, the only Georgia Army National Guard unit mobilized during the Berlin Crisis in 1961 and the first unit mobilized since the Korean War.
“Today is not simply about activating a new unit. It’s about recognizing and honoring a proud legacy,” Gurley said.
Rogers, the newly appointed commander, acknowledged the unique challenges and opportunities associated with leading this pioneering unit. He said he is charged with coordinating with relevant schools and units to train on developing systems as the Army continues to identify and finalize the necessary training for the unit’s capabilities.
“No Soldier in the 111th ended up here through recruiting,” Rogers said. “They knew what they wanted when they came to the 111th. They knew that they wanted to rebuild Army EW.”
Rogers said the company will provide division commanders with four platoons of electromagnetic warfare teams, with a total of more than 80 Soldiers.
“All of our Soldiers are expected to keep up with evolving technology, and the unit as a whole is remaining flexible with the expectation of receiving a growing number of mission types,” Rogers said.
He also confirmed that the 111th EW Company will conduct its first field exercise in August at the Chattahoochee National Forest, focusing on electromagnetic support training and identifying and locating static and moving targets, including helicopters provided by the Georgia Guard’s 78th Aviation Troop Command.
“It’s a great time to be in military intelligence and electromagnetic warfare,” Scott said. “I am excited for the future.”
By Charles Emmons, Georgia National Guard
Maximizing Infantry Battalion Enablers: Effective Employment of the Multi-Purpose Company Commander
Saturday, May 3rd, 2025In 2024, as part of the Army force structure (ARSTRUC) transformation, the Army Chief of Staff identified the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as a transformation in contact (TiC) unit. The Army tasked the brigade with testing new formations through a full training cycle, culminating in a combat training center (CTC) rotation. In response, 2/101 transformed into a mobile brigade combat team (MBCT) to evaluate the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). Under the new ARSTRUC, the Army moved enabler battalions to division-level control, leaving three infantry battalions in the brigade. The TiC initiative allowed 2/101 MBCT to establish a multi-functional reconnaissance company (MFRC) and three multi-purpose companies (MPCs). The brigade designated the MFRC as its primary reconnaissance and targeting asset while the MPCs will conduct security and counter-reconnaissance operations for the infantry battalions.
The MPC replaced the heavy weapons company within the infantry battalion. In the past, the battalion’s enablers — such as the scout platoon and mortar platoon — were organized under the headquarters and headquarters company (HHC). However, the establishment of the MPC centralizes these assets under a single command, consolidating the battalion’s enablers and adding new capabilities such as the anti-tank platoon and robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) platoon. This reorganization provides a significant advantage. Historically, the HHC commander was burdened by the conflicting demands of both staff sections and specialty platoons in garrison. In the field, the HHC commander was delegated to oversee the combat trains command post (CTCP) while the battalion commander and staff managed the enablers. With the advent of the MPC, a dedicated maneuver company commander now ensures that enablers are fully integrated into the battalion’s operations, thereby giving the battalion commander greater freedom to make informed decisions and command and control (C2) the fight more effectively.
Figure 1 — MBCT Task Organization
Figure 2 — Multi-Purpose Company Task Organization
The MPC Commander as a Staff Officer
The role of the MPC commander extends beyond tactical leadership on the battlefield. In both garrison and operational environments, the MPC commander must function as a staff officer, closely collaborating with key battalion staff members. This collaboration begins in garrison, where the MPC commander develops a strong working relationship with the S-2 (intelligence), the fire support officer (FSO), and the protection officer within the S-3 (operations) shop. Together, they form a fusion cell, ensuring that all of the battalion’s enablers are integrated into the mission. This coordinated approach prevents the stove-piping of information within specific sections, guarantees that no assets are overlooked, and provides a maneuver commander with the ability to validate the feasibility of how the staff intends to integrate enablers into the battalion’s overall maneuver plan.
In preparation for Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Rotation 24-10, the MPC commander of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment worked closely with members of the fusion cell. The MPC holds most of the battalion’s short-range and medium-range unmanned aerial system (UAS) assets in addition to its scouts. Collaboration with the S-2 was critical in developing realistic collection plans and clearly defined priority intelligence requirements (PIRs) that would lead to actionable decisions by the battalion commander. The MPC and S-2 shop also played a key role in devising 2/101 MBCT’s tactical deception plan, which utilized Wi-Fi and Bluetooth decoy emitters to mislead the enemy. In coordination with the FSO, the MPC commander developed a shared understanding of key considerations such as mortar section displacement times, standard fire mission round counts, and load configurations for each mortar section. Additionally, the often-overlooked warfighting function of protection became a priority as we developed techniques on planning the integration of Stingers and counter-UAS systems prior to the rotation.
A 2/101 MBCT drone operator conducts reconnaissance.
In the field, the MPC commander contributes significantly to the military decision-making process (MDMP). Upon receiving a mission, the MPC commander should immediately move to the battalion’s main command post (MCP) to analyze the mission and advocate for the effective use of enabler platoons. By working with the fusion cell and the battalion commander, the MPC commander helps develop reconnaissance guidance, PIRs, an information collection matrix, an initial fires plan, and the scheme of protection. This collaboration ensures enablers are fully integrated into the mission.
During 1-26 IN’s preparation for JRTC 24-10, the MPC commander participated in the Leader Training Program to solidify the MDMP process. This coordination paid dividends as the MPC commander consistently moved to the MCP upon receipt of a mission, helped develop essential planning outputs, and then returned to lead the platoons in tactical operations. This system ensured that 1-26 IN maximized the effectiveness of its enablers in shaping the fight for the rifle companies.
Figure 3 — Multi-Purpose Company Commander’s Role in the Military Decision-Making Process
The MPC Commander as a Maneuverist
While the MPC commander serves a vital staff role, he/she is also a maneuverist who leads the company on the battlefield. The MPC is a modular unit that can fight in various configurations depending on the battalion commander’s vision. The platoons may operate independently as organic enablers, as a consolidated company, or as multi-functional reconnaissance teams (MFRTs) that combine reconnaissance and anti-tank capabilities. The MPC commander’s experience and leadership are best utilized forward with the enablers to deal with friction points and consolidate reports for the battalion.
At JRTC 24-10, 1-26 IN ensured that the MPC commander remained forward during operations. Upon the initial joint forcible entry, the MPC as a whole established a screen for the battalion, kept platoons organic during defensive operations, and organized MFRTs to conduct counter-reconnaissance during offensive operations. The MPC commander’s forward presence allowed him to resolve issues related to communication and sustainment quickly and make tactical decisions in alignment with the battalion commander’s intent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a company commander solely dedicated to the training, employment, and maneuver of a battalion’s key enablers is critical in modern warfare. As technology continues to advance, the integration of innovations in UAS, advanced software, and artificial intelligence will become increasingly essential to improving both the lethality and survivability of military forces. A dedicated maneuverist who can effectively balance the staff work and tactical maneuver will maximize the multi-purpose company’s ability to sense, kill, and protect. This will ensure infantry battalions are better equipped to face the dynamic challenges of contemporary battlefields, ultimately enhancing mission success and operational efficiency.
Notes
1 This graphic is a modified version of Figure 5-1 in Field Manual 5-0, Planning and Orders Production, November 2024.
By CPT Philip S. Tateyama – He currently serves as the commander of the Multi-Purpose Company for 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. He graduated from the George Washington University in 2015 with a degree in political science and environmental studies. He attended Basic Combat Training in October 2017 and commissioned as an Infantry officer from Officer Candidate School in April 2018. His previous assignments include serving as rifle platoon leader, headquarters and headquarters company executive officer, and assistant S-3 with 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks, HI.
This article appeared as a bonus article in the Winter 2024-2025 issue of Infantry. View this issue at www.moore.army.mil/Infantry/Magazine/issue
What is a Sapper? 250 Years of ‘Badass’ Engineers
Tuesday, April 29th, 2025
WASHINGTON — In the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the term sapper carries weight. For 250 years, sappers have served as elite combat engineers, supporting frontline infantry in every war throughout American history.
“A sapper, in a historic sense, goes back to the 17th century. It’s a French term,” said USACE Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Galick.
Back then, military engineers would dig trenches to breach enemy defenses without direct exposure to enemy fire.
“Those trenches were called saps. The Soldiers that dug them were sappers,” adds Brig. Gen. Joseph Goetz, USACE Pacific Ocean Division commanding general.
The tradition of sappers dates to the American Revolution, where military engineers built critical infrastructure like roads and fortifications. “It really has its roots in trench warfare that started very early, earlier than the American Army,” says Col. Francis Pera, USACE Baltimore District commander.
Today, sappers are still combat engineers, trained to execute the most demanding and vital battlefield roles: “An engineer leader that is an expert in mobility, countermobility and survivability,” Galick adds.
That means clearing paths for friendly forces to maneuver, creating obstacles to slow or stop enemy advances, and building fortifications that protect Soldiers during battle. “That’s really about how we create pathways for maneuver,” explains Pera. “How we stop enemy movement, and then how we buy time and space for our team while we’re in the middle of a battle.”
“They’re advisors to maneuver commanders that put engineer effects into place on a battlefield so that we can win,” adds Goetz.
Sappers also operate as infantry when needed, fully engaged in modern offensive, defensive and peacekeeping operations. “A sapper is really the cutting edge of the nation’s sword,” says Col. Christopher Klein, commander of the USACE Middle East District. “They are the best of the best in the engineer corps, who lead the infantry when the infantry even gets in trouble.”
The Sapper Leader Course is a grueling 28-day program that spans the terrain of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and the Mark Twain National Forest. It teaches mobility, countermobility, survivability, demolitions, engineer reconnaissance and other technical skills at the small unit level. The course provides maneuver commanders with a force multiplier to succeed in both competition and conflict.
The course includes two phases: general skills and patrolling. “Techniques, from advanced demolitions into land navigation, and the basics in waterborne (and) airborne operations (are part of phase one),” says Maj. Blake Jones from USACE New England District.
In the patrolling phase, leadership is tested under extreme stress. “The course is very, very intense,” says Maj. Charles Martin, USACE Baltimore District Real Estate Field Office realty specialist. “It will push you to your limits.”
That intensity is intentional. “Set a good baseline, so when you have to do it in real life, you do the right things,” says Lt. Col. Nicholas Lorusso, USACE New England District deputy commander.
“Sapper School showed me that I can be hungry, I can be tired, I can push my body to the margins and still make sound decisions; sound technical decisions and sound tactical decisions, in a stressful environment,” said Lt. Col. Lamar Cantelou, USACE aide de camp. “And that’s why you need to do it.”
In 2024, the Sapper School had a graduation rate of just under 50%.
“As an engineer, you learn to become almost a Swiss Army knife,” says Capt. Walter Dezir, USACE Honolulu District project engineer. “And the Sapper Leader Course is all about teaching you to be able to function in a variety of different weather conditions and situations.”
Earning the Sapper Tab is a mark of distinction that signals mastery in combat engineering and leadership. “There’s a credibility to other engineer leaders that wear the tab,” said Galick. “When you interact with our maneuver counterparts, they truly believe that an engineer leader that wears a Sapper Tab is a master of their craft and they are the expert engineer on the battlefield.”
The U.S. Army Engineer School (USAES), established in 1866, formalized the training and development of combat engineers, ensuring sappers remain a crucial component of U.S. military strategy. The course started in 1985 and became fully accredited as a United States Army Training and Doctrine Command course in 2004. That same year, on June 28, the Army officially authorized the wearing of the Sapper Tab, an initiative approved by then-Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers.
Since 2005, USAES has hosted the Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, challenging the physical prowess, mental fortitude and technical skills of sappers. Competitors cover 50 miles in 50 hours while executing a myriad of tactical and technical tasks. This year’s competition, taking place April 25–29, celebrates both the 40th anniversary of the Sapper Leader Course and the 250th anniversary of the Engineer Regiment.
Retired Lt. Gen. Flowers is quoted: “When our nation needs a tough job done, they call the Army. When our Army needs a tough job done, they call on the sappers.”
After 250 years, the role of the sapper continues to evolve, but remains essential to military operations worldwide. Their expertise in breaching obstacles, laying and clearing mines, and constructing field defenses makes them indispensable to military operations and a force multiplier on the battlefield.
Klein arguably captures the unique duality of sappers best, saying, “Sapper combines the nerdiness of being an engineer with the badass of being in the Army.”
By Kathryne Gest
Presidio of Monterey Soldiers Exchange AMC Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for ICoE SSI
Saturday, March 8th, 2025PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2025) – Soldiers assigned to the Presidio of Monterey recently marked the transition from the U.S. Army Materiel Command to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence during a traditional patching ceremony in the PoM headquarters building. The five soldiers exchanged their AMC shoulder sleeve insignia patches for the ICoE patch, signifying their integration into the ICoE command.
The re-patching was prompted by the January 2025 EXORD 123-25 by the Secretary of the Army, “Update to U.S. Army Installation Management Structure.” This alignment reduces bureaucracy, clarifies responsibilities, and unifies efforts under a single command.
Maj. Gen. Richard Appelhans, commanding general of ICoE and Fort Huachuca, addressed soldiers at both locations via video teleconference from Arizona. “More than just symbolic, this patching is about creating unity of command and unity of effort,” Appelhans said. “Despite the many challenges, you accomplish the mission daily, delivering first-class service and support to your communities.”
Col. Dan Artino, Presidio of Monterey garrison commander, said the ceremony marks a significant milestone. “This transition reaffirms our commitment to the warfighters, families, and civilians who train, work, and live on our installation,” Artino said.
The alignment, Artino said, will integrate ICoE’s mission priorities with PoM’s service integration. “This move strengthens our relationship with our senior commander, Maj. Gen. Appelhans, and allows for even greater collaboration and support,” he said.
With the transition complete, the Presidio of Monterey stands ready to support the broader transformation, modernization and readiness of the U.S. Army.
By Jennifer Leggett
Forging Lifelines: 5th SFAB’s Medical Mission in the Indo-Pacific
Sunday, March 2nd, 2025
The 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade (5th SFAB) plays a pivotal role in enhancing medical capabilities across the Indo-Pacific, fostering stronger partnerships and improving the readiness of allied and partner nations. Through collaborative training, operational support, and knowledge sharing, 5th SFAB’s medical teams help partner forces advance their trauma care, casualty evacuation, and medical logistics, ensuring greater resilience during both peacetime and large-scale combat operations (LSCO).
Building Medical Readiness Through Collaboration
Since 2023, the 5th SFAB has conducted over 70 medical assessments and numerous training events with nine Indo-Pacific partners. These engagements focus on improving tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), prolonged field care (PFC), whole blood programs, and medical evacuation systems. By introducing advanced trauma care techniques and refining medical processes, 5th SFAB advisors help partner forces reduce casualty fatality rates, increase return-to-duty rates, and enhance overall battlefield survivability.
Advancing Tactical Medical Training
One of the cornerstone initiatives is training partner forces in TCCC and PFC. These programs teach critical skills for stabilizing casualties and providing lifesaving care in austere environments, ensuring that medical personnel can sustain injured soldiers until evacuation. Additionally, the implementation of whole blood programs improves trauma survival rates, aligning partner force capabilities with proven U.S. military practices.
Enhancing Medical Evacuation and Logistics
Effective casualty evacuation is essential during crises. 5th SFAB advisors work closely with partner forces to optimize evacuation routes, establish Patient Evacuation Coordination Cells (PECCs), and ensure seamless coordination between military and civilian healthcare facilities. By embedding medical advisors within partner force headquarters, the brigade enhances real-time reporting and facilitates bilateral evacuation requests, strengthening interoperability and reducing response times.
Supporting Medical Logistics and Supply Chains
Sustaining medical operations during high-casualty scenarios requires robust supply chains. 5th SFAB advisors collaborate with partner force logistics teams to assess supply levels, forecast consumption rates, and address Class VIII medical supply needs. By establishing pre-positioned stockpiles and implementing walking blood banks, partner forces can maintain critical care capabilities even in contested environments. The brigade also advocates for agreements such as Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements (ACSAs) to ensure reliable resupply during operations.
Building Sustainable Medical Capabilities
The 5th SFAB’s approach emphasizes long-term capacity building through train-the-trainer programs and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs). By empowering partner nations to develop and sustain their own medical training and operational systems, the brigade fosters enduring self-reliance and strengthens regional stability. Additionally, the use of tools like the Medical Advisor Specific Tool (MEDASAT) ensures consistent progress tracking and continuous improvement.
Strengthening Regional Resilience
Through its advisory efforts, the 5th SFAB is enhancing the medical readiness and interoperability of Indo-Pacific partner forces, ensuring they can respond effectively to both peacetime emergencies and combat operations. By sharing expertise, improving casualty care, and optimizing logistics, the brigade is helping to save lives and strengthen alliances across the region, reinforcing collective security and promoting long-term stability.
Conclusion
The 5th SFAB’s medical advising mission in the Indo-Pacific demonstrates the power of collaboration in strengthening regional security and resilience. By improving trauma care, enhancing evacuation systems, and supporting sustainable medical logistics, the brigade plays a crucial role in ensuring that partner forces are prepared to save lives and sustain operations during both crises and conflicts. These partnerships not only enhance the capabilities of individual nations but also contribute to the collective readiness of the Indo-Pacific region, fostering a network of allies capable of responding swiftly and effectively to any challenge.
By LTC Matthew Holtkamp
